If it's too good to be true... it probably is

1. When offered a ride to Kuala Lumpur, sharing a VIP coach with only 5 other passengers, and for only a 1/5 the price of the competition, I should have been suspicious. After 3 hours of crawling in 1st and 2nd gear, and occasionally getting into 3rd, something I suspect was the gearbox dropped off the bus on the motorway. Interesting hitch hike followed.

2. Fantastic travel insurance that can be extended whilst on-the-road, and a good price for a budget traveller. This appeared to be an insurance company that finally understood what would be good for customers. Maybe I'd glazed over from reading all the small print, but I only saw this little nugget on the certificate after I'd purchased the insurance, "Residents of countries other than Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada can buy cover for the whole duration of the trip as long as you intend to travel to Australia or New Zealand during the course of your trip". A day trip to Darwin from East Timor is now on the cards just so my camera is covered against theft. Beware: if you're not travelling to Australia or New Zealand, a www.worldsnomads.com insurance policy may not be the one for you.

Quality grades of SE Asia accomodation

It's all good and well having a Lonely Planet guide listing budget sleeping places, but a more comprehensive review of those little things that make a hostel room tolerable, or not, would help. Here's mine:

Bathroom index (shared or ensuite not important). Does the bathroom have:

a sit-down toilet
a mini soap provided
warm or even hot water
a mirror over the sink (for shaving)
loo roll provided
clothes hooks/nails out of reach of shower spray
a towel provided (saves putting a damp towel into a rucksack for the next day)
running water (as opposed to bowl of water and scoop for showering and toilet flushing)?

Bedroom index. Does the sleeping room have:

a window to outdoors that lets in sunlight (view not important)
a plug socket (for MP3/camera battery recharging)
a fan, or even air con
a locking door
alternative to harsh flourescent strip lighting
a comfy mattress with no bedbugs
a bed not bowed in the middle
walls with minor/no mould?

Bonuses:

Breakfast included
Bloody lovely
balcony/patio/roof garden with chairs
Close enough to drop-off point for walk with big bag not an issue
Overall value for money

City-village, Establishment (location), Price (local currency) per person/night, Bathroom /8 Bedroom /8, Bonuses /5

Thailand

Bangkok - Sawasdee Inn (Soi Chana, nr. Ko San Rd) 350Baht 6 4 0
Bangkok - Baan athit Hostel (nr. Ko San Rd) 150B 5 3 0
Night Bus to Ranong 180B 3/5 4/7 1
Ko Payam - Vigit Bungalows 200B 5 4 3
Ao Nang (Nr Krabi) - ........ 250B 6 7 3
Ton Sai Beach (nr Krabi) - Forest Resort 150B 5 3 3
Hat Yai - Hok Chin Hin Hotel 6 5 1

Malaysia

Kota Bharu - Ideas Backpackers Inn 15Ringgit 4 2 0
Kuala Tahan (Taman Negara Nat Pk) - Tahan Guest House 10R 7 4 4
Kuala Lumpur - Anuja Backpackers Inn (opp. Pudaraya bus station) 10R 2 5 2
Kuala Selangor (to see fireflies) - Melawati Ria Hotel 40R 6 7 0
Cameron Highlands, Tanah Rata - Cameronian Inn 8R 4 6 3

Indonesia

Kuta, Bali - Bunit Gardens 100,000rph 5 8 4

Ubud, Bali - Kebara Bungalows 30,000rph 4 8 5

Nusa Dua, Bali - Peninsula Beach free (for me) 8 8 3